Apparatus for obtaining continuously transforming projected images

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for obtaining continuously transforming projecting images, comprising a projector with a source of light, a seat in said projector capable of removably receiving flattened containers consisting of transparent material and containing at least two differently coloured non miscible liquids.

nited Facchini atei [191 Oct. 22, 1974 l l APPARATUS IFOR OBTAININGCONTINUOUSLY TRANSFORMIING PROJECTED IMAGES [75] Inventor: BrunoFacchini, Milan, Italy [73] Assignee: Alden Research Foundation [22]Filed: Apr. 5, 19711 [2]] Appl, No.: 131,111

Related LLS. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.774,896, Nov. 12, I968, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part ofSer, No. 656,895, July 28, I967, abandoned.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 18, I967 Italy 22852/67 Aug.4, 1966 Italy 18044/66 [52] US. Cl 353/2, 40/106.2l, 353/46 [5]] lllnt.Cl. G03b 21/00, G09f 13/24 [58] Field of Search 40/l06.21, 106.25;353/1, 353/2, 46', 350/5 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,494,239 l/l950 Grow 350/5 2,99l,689 7/1961 Taylor 350/5 3,245,3104/1966 Aldcroftt 353/2 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 462,166 2/l95lItaly 353/] 703,924 2/l954 Great Britain Primary Examiner-Louis R.Prince Assistant ExaminerSteven L. Stephan Attorney, Agent, or FirmDr.G. Modiano; Dr. A. Josif [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for obtainingcontinuously transforming projecting images, comprising a projector witha source of light, a seat in said projector capable of removablyreceiving flattened containers consisting of transparent material andcontaining at least two differently coloured non miscible liquids.

2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUBT 22 m4 3,843, 244

sum 2 w a INVENTOR BRUNO FACCHINI I Agent PM'ENTEDHCI 22 1924 3; 324

SHEEY ME 3 llllvil l INVENTOR BRUNO FACCHINI APPARATUS FOR OBTAININGCONTINUOUSLY TRANSFORMING PROJECTED IMAGES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part application of theapplication Ser. No. 774,896 filed Nov. 12, 1968 which is in turn acontinuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 656,895 filedJuly 28, 1967, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to anapparatus for obtaining continuously transforming projected images.

The invention is particularly useful in the artistic field of figurativeart.

It is known that at present the processes and methods of projection wellknown in the art, lead to the obtaining or representations ofrecognisable images of real objects and that such representations are ofa static character (for example in the case of a diapositive projection)or of a dynamic character, obtained, as is well known, by means of asequence of static projections at a speed above that of a well definedcritical value. In the latter case the method of projection entails theuse of relatively complicated apparatuses in which a kinematic assemblyputs a succession of static images into movement in front of a lightsource.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main object of the present inventionis that of providing a process which allows the obtaining ofrepresentations of random subjects, not only in continuous movement butalso continuously varying or deforming where the movement and thecontinuous variation of the said subject is not due to a sequence ofstatic images, of the conventional type, being projected at a certainspeed; in this way the process according to the invention is capable ofobviating the use of the complex apparatus, as mentioned above, usuallyrequired in the conventional projection methods.

Another object of the present invention is that the said process besimple to achieve and easy and practical to carry out, without requiringany particular skill or training on the part of the operator.

Another object of this invention is that the said process can be carriedout by apparatus of simple structure and easy operation.

These and other objects, which will better appear hereinbelow, areattained by a method according to the invention for obtainingcontinuously transforming representations of random subjects incontinuous movement, which is characterized by the fact that it consistsin arranging in at least one partially transparent cell at least two nonmiscible differently colored liquids, said liquids being in a state ofmutual agitation and deformation, striking the said cell with a lightbeam and projecting the beam of light coming from the said cell onto ascreen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantagesof the invention will better appear from the detailed description of aprocess according to the invention, reference being made to an apparatusfor the carrying out of the same and diagrammatically illustrated by wayof indicative and non limiting example in the attached drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the apparatus according to oneembodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 shows a detail of the apparatus inFIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a further embodiment of the apparatus according to theinvention,

FIGS. 4 to 7 show in enlarged scale various embodiments of the apparatusaccording to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1 themethod according to the invention consists in arranging in a cell orcontainer I of transparent material, at least two differently colored,non miscible translucid liquids of different viscosity, density andtransparency. If desired at least one nonmiscible or only partiallymiscible material in the form of solid particles or pieces may be addedinto said liquids, so that the said material forms a suspension therein.Preferably one of the liquid is selected among the liquid silicones ofdifferent viscosity. The viscosity may be in the range of from about 45centistokes up to even 2,500,000 centistokes. If a more rapid movementor deformation of the images is desired a liquid silicone of lowerviscosity will be selected. If a slower change in the image shape isdesired a more viscous silicone liquid will be selected.

The liquid silicones manufactured by the SOGESIL Company of Milan, Italyproved to be very satisfactory. The other non miscible liquid ispreferably electronic glycerine. The viscosity of glycerine used may bein the range of about 500 to 1,000 centistokes. The velocity of theimage deformation or change will depend also on the viscosity of thesecond liquid and on the viscosity ratio between the two liquids. Theelectronic glycerine manufactured by the Carlo Erba Company of Milan,Italy has been used with success. Under certain conditions also mineraloils and Vaseline can be also used. One or both liquids are colored andthis may be obtained by adding pigments to the liquid so that thepigments are incorporated therein and will not pass from one liquid tothe other. Preferably at least one of the liquids is left uncolored. Inthe illustrated example, cell 1 comprises a bottle-like glass containerwith externally flat and internally convex walls 2. The first liquid 3contained within the container 1 is gylcerine and the second liquid iscolored silicone 4.

The cell 1 arranged in this way is removably positioned in a pocket-likeseat 5 defined in casing 6, which is furthermore provided with lateralpcokets 7 and 8. The said casing 6 or rather said seat or central pocket5 defined by the casing, are arranged across the optical axis A of theprojector, i.e., communicates optically on one side with the interior ofa chamber 9 wherein illuminating means 9a are provided and on the otherside with a telescopic projector 10 (for example of a conventional typeinternally provided with an any suitable optic system). For the purposethe front and rear walls of the casing 6 may be at least partiallytransparent or open.

When the cell or container 1 is arranged in its casing i.e., received inthe central pocket 5 of the projector 6, the glycerine 3 is agitated andtherefore also the colored silicone 4, because of the injection thereinof a stream of air under pressure; this injection is achieved by using apipe 11 connected at one end to a pumping device 12 and at the other endto a tubular element 13 inserted into the cell or container 1 which, forthis purpose is provided with an opening 14. Near the said pumpingdevice 12 is arranged a valve 12a for regulating the speed and thecapacity of the fluid under pressure.

In the example shown in FIG. 1 the selected liquid silicone has aspecific weight slightly lighter than the glycerine 3 and has thereforthe tendency to move upwardly whereas the glycerine has the tendency tosink. Depending on the intensity of the jet of air continuouslydeforming shapes similar to flowers or trees may be obtained. Byselecting suitably the viscosity ratio of the liquids and the jetintensity, different shapes may be obtained, depending also on thestructure of the nozzle 13b through which air is injected. If theinjection of air is intermittent a very impressing pulsating change ofimages is obtained.

From the foregoing description the following features should appearevident:

The pipe 13 (FIG. 1) has a diameter less than the opening 14 so that,when pipe 13 is introduced in the bottle 1, there is a vent passage leftin the opening 14 for the air. The fluid under pressure isadvantageously pressurized air and the pumping device 12 is associatedwith a source of air under pressure which may be also a blower or animpeller or simply a blowing pipe. The free end of pipe 13 is placedusually on the bottom of the bottom 1.

The process according to the invention provides, during the agitation ofthe contents of the cell 1, the illumination of the said cell by meansof a light beam proceeding from the light source shown in the drawingand also the projection of the light beam proceeding from the said cell,onto any suitable screen (after a possible focusing by means of anappropriate control indicated with reference numeral 15). On the saidscreen a representation of colored images in continuous movement and incontinuous transformation is obtained. According to one of the ojbectsof the present invention it was easily possible to observe that, duringsaid continuous transformation within very short instants of time, theprojected image showed a remarkable variation of configurations.

The representational effects obtained and obtainable with the method ofthe present invention are achieved in relation not only with theagitation intensity and the luminous intensity of the beam of lightilluminating the cell but also with the position of the injecting nozzlewith respect to the bottom of the said cell. Using other materials andother liquids having different, even if only slightly, physical-chemicalcharacteristics, to those previously chosen for arrangement in the cell1, a vast range of representations may be obtained in which thevariation of form, the continuous movement of the random subjectsrepresented and the great variety and vividness of the colors of thesame, are such as render the described process of especial interest.

From what has been described and illustrated the manner in which themethod attains all the preestablished objects is clearly evident.

A particular advantage is achieved when the previously describedapparatus is associated to a cellsupporting disc member of the typeshown in FIGS. 2 and 3. With reference to FIG. 2, such cell-supportingdisc member is indicated with reference numeral 111 and is provided witha plurality of circular through holes or seats 112. Said disc 111 isarranged to revolve (by driving means, not shown) in manner such as notto interfere with the luminous band coming from the projector 10. Moreprecisely, said through holes or seats 112 are arranged coaxial with theaxis of rotation of the disc 111 and along a circumference coaxial withthe axis of rotation of the disc 111 and which passes through the centreof said band projector, and are of size such as to interfere with thelight beam of said projector. Advantageously, variously colored filters(not shown) are arranged in said holes 112 and enable a wider range ofaesthetic representations to be obtained whilst employing a singlebottle 1. Again advantageously, essentially cylindrical, completelyclosed containers 113 in the form of tablets are arranged in saidthrough holes 112. Said containers are previously filled with twoliquids of the type previously described. If desired also colouredfragments suspended in said liquids may be used. The rotation of saiddisc 111 is such as to attribute a certain movement to said liquidswhich are projected either in superimposition to the projection of thebottle 1 or independently therefrom and if desired may be out of focuswith respect to the latter projection; The aesthetic results of therepresentations obtained are of extremely surprising effect. Such effectmay be further varied and also improved by employing a second disc (notshown) arranged adjacent said disc 111 and arranged to rotate inopposite sense to the disc' FIG. 3 shows a modified embodiment of thedisc member. Such modified embodiment comprises a disc 111a which isessentially fan-shaped. The solid portions 114 of said fan 111a, whichmay be variously shaped, interfering with the luminous band coming fromthe projector 10, provide the projection of a bottle 1 with effects of anew dimension.

Between the solid portion 114 of disc 111a there are void spaces. Thesolid portions 114 may be either opaque or translucent and colored. Theshaft 117 supports the lower periphery of transparent disc-likecontainer 116, which simply rests thereon.

FIG. 4 shows a modified embodiment of a bottle. According to suchembodiment the bottle, which is releasably arranged in the seat 5 of theapparatus according to the invention, comprises a transparent container115 inside which is arranged a substantially discoid container 116. Saiddiscoid container 116 is completely closed and contains the two liquidspreviously described and if desired fragments suspended in said liquids.Said container 116 is rotably supported, for example by mechanisms shownin FIG. 4. Said mechanisms comprise a rotating shaft 117, which isconnected to the lower end of said discoid container 116, and supportmembers 118 and 119 which are entrained in rotation by said discoidcontainer 116 since they are idly mounted on support spindles. Therotation of shaft 117 imparts a rotation to transparent disc-likecontainer 116, which simply rests thereon. Also in this case, therepresentations obtained with the previously described apparatus havecharacteristics within the scope of the present invention and are suchas to widen the range of aesthetic representations. Advantageously (seeFIG. 5), two counter-rotating discoid members 116a and 11611 arearranged inside said transparent container 115. A further widening ofthe range of representations obtainable is achieved by combining theselatter bottles 115 with discs 111 and 111a of the previously describedtype. Other particular aesthetic effects are achieved when, instead ofthe bottle, a simple sheet of printed glass 120 (FIG. 6) is arranged insaid seat 5. This is especially so when said sheet of stamped glass 121)is rotated and projected on the diagrammatically shown screen 200 incombination with discs of the previously described type. Other resultsare achieved when said glass sheet 120 is projected in combination witha bottle 1 or 115.

A further embodiment ofa bottle is shown in FIG. 7. In this case a hooksupport 122, connected to an air pipe 123, is arranged inside a bottle 1which is specially shaped and dimensioned. On said hook support 122 isarranged a tablet-like container 124 of type described previously withreference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The movement of such tablet like container124 is obtained by passing tangential air currents below said container124. Container 124 may have any suitable thickness and define thereintwo or more compartments.

Advantageously the bottle 1 is filled with a fluid which may containsuspended fragments. Also in this case, the representations obtained,whilst lying within the scope of the invention, have new and surprisingeffects. These effects are further increased when the projection of suchbottle 1 occurs in combination with a sheet of printed glass ofdescribed type and/or with discs 111 and 111a. Obviously, all theseprojections may, if desired, occur in conjunction with the use of theelectronic amplifying device 22 which provides a sound track for saidrepresentations.

A further object attained by this invention is to make the intensity oflight projecting the continuously transforming images varying inaccordance with the variation of the intensity of sound of an externalsound source.

In fact, the electronic device 22 incorporates a sound responsivecontrol device for the intensity of electric current passing therefromthrough cable 9b to the source of light 90 when the plug 90 is insertedinto the socket 9d of the electronic device 22, connected to a source ofelectric current not shown. The mentioned sound responsive controldevice is of well known type and is actuated by the intensity of soundin such a way that, when the intensity of sound increases it regulatesthe intensity of electric current supplied to the lamp 90 so that alsothe electric current is increased, increasing the intensity of lightemitted by 9a and vice-versa. The source of sound may be of any kindsuch as an orchestra or a recording apparatus or else. The device 22 maybe connected to the source of sound (e.g., a microphone or a recordingdevice or else) through cable 10.

The invention realized in this way is susceptible to numerous variationsand modifications which fall within the concept of this invention; inthis way for example the agitation of the fluid and of the material suspended in it can be obtained by mechanical means, magnetic means or thelike, also the characteristics of the said fluid or the said material orthe intensity of the light beam used, may be varied. Advantageously theabove described apparatus may also comprise a threaded stem 17associated below said housing 5 and adapted for positioning andadjusting the height of the cell 1 with respect to the beam of light;furthermore the use of a plate-like element 18 provided with a number ofcircular openings 19 of differing diameters, arranged in the exteriorpocket 8 allows the regulation of the emitted beam of light andtherefore also allows a regulation of the dimensions of the projection.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for obtaining continuously transforming projectedimages, comprising a projector with a light beams generating source oflight and a screen surface at a distance from the projector, saidprojector directing said light beams according to its optical axisagainst said screen, at least one container of transparent material,said container containing a number of variously colored translucidmovable substances, supporting means on said projector to support saidcontainer within the path of said light beams, said light beams passingthrough said container and the substances contained therein andprojecting their images on said screen surface, means for agitating saidmovable substances, wherein, according to the improvement, saidcontainer has contained therein at least two non miscible transluciddifferently colored liquids and wherein said container has the shape ofa flat box and said supporting means are in the form of a pocket adaptedto receive said box shaped container, said pocket extending across theoptical axis of the projector and wherein one of said liquids has aspecific weight greater than the other of said liquids, and wherein saidmeans for agitating the liquids is a pressurized fluid circuit includinga pumping device, said pumping device injecting pressurized fluid intothe container at the bottom zones of said container.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pumping device causesan intermittent injection of pressurized fluid.

1. An apparatus for obtaining continuously transforming projectedimages, comprising a projector with a light beams generating source oflight and a screen surface at a distance from the projector, saidprojector directing said light beams according to its optical axisagainst said screen, at least one container of transparent material,said container containing a number of variously colored translucidmovable substances, supporting means on said projector to support saidcontainer within the path of said light beams, said light beams passingthrough said container and the substances contained therein andprojecting their images on said screen surface, means for agitating saidmovable substances, wherein, according to the improvement, saidcontainer has contained therein at least two non miscible transluciddifferently colored liquids and wherein said container has the shape ofa flat box and said supporting means are in the form of a pocket adaptedto receive said box shaped container, said pocket extending across theoptical axis of the projector and wherein one of said liquids has aspecific weight greater than the other of said liquids, and wherein saidmeans for agitating the liquids is a pressurized fluid circuit includinga pumping device, said pumping device injecting pressurized fluid intothe container at the bottom zones of said container.
 2. An apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said pumping device causes an intermittentinjection of pressurized fluid.